PUNTA GORDA (SNN-TV) – With March Madness action returning tomorrow night, the Suncoast and Charlotte County are well represented in the Sweet 16 by way of the FAU Owls.
Former Charlotte Tarpons hoops star Tre Carroll is a redshirt freshman for FAU, and takes to the court tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden as the No. 9 Florida Atlantic Owls collide with No. 4 Tennessee. During his senior campaign in Punta Gorda, Carroll averaged a double-double with nearly 23 points and 11 rebounds per game along with 2 assists, 2 blocks and nearly 2 steals per contest.
FAU enters this Sweet 16 match-up with the Vols maintaining a record of 33-3 for the season, coming off tournament wins over Memphis and 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson.
Tre’s father is no stranger to the bright lights either, being he’s former Suncoast star and Super Bowl XLIV champion Anthony Hargrove. The legend of the Port Charlotte gridiron spoke to the emotions of seeing his son playing College Basketball’s biggest stage.
“Man, it’s a tear-jerker. You know, as a parent you only want great things for your kids. As a professional athlete, you want your kids to experience some of the things you got to experience, and see really what the American dream is all about. You could be a small kid from any town, but you get this opportunity? It can change your life. As a parent I’m super thrilled. I’m super thrilled and super excited.”
With FAU and Tennessee’s game set for tomorrow night at 9pm on TBS, Carroll also returns to his father’s stomping grounds, with Hargrove having lived in Brooklyn until age 9, just 10 or so miles away from Madison Square Garden.
We’ll hear from Tre and take a deeper dive into his journey tomorrow night, only on SNN!